Moerbeck / Fanon Flowers - Black Hand EP

Moerbeck / Fanon Flowers - Black Hand EP
There's often something especially satisfying about a techno EP that has peak-time material from start to finish. The latest on Planet Rhythm features exactly that, courtesy of Moerbeck and Fanon Flowers. The former handles the A-side with two tracks that epitomise the funky, bass-heavy style he's been dishing out from his Berlin base for the past few years. "Black Hand" begins as a fairly straightforward roller, but soon morphs into a disorienting, droning collage of synths. "Mode Send" is funkier still, with a big snare and loud hats edging it towards house territory.

Fanon Flowers' moody contributions sit on the flip. Both are more atmospheric than Moerbeck's selections, but just as tough. "Vultures Circling 3" is the most mellow track here, but that's not saying much. It's dark and kicks hard, though its simplicity should make it a handy tool for DJs looking to build some tension. Like the EP's opener, "Vultures Circling 1" also has a short, in-your-face synth melody, coupled with a simple, mostly snare-less beat. Regardless of which track the needle lands on, techno jocks in command of an energetic dance floor should be glad to have this record in their bag.